A dishwasher wire rack having an improved carrier adaptor tine assembly structure

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a dishwasher having a carrier structure adapted to be mounted on the dishwasher rack thereof for carrying plates and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to a dishwasher comprising a washing process chamber to place various kitchenware and cooking equipment to be washed and a spraying system spraying water to effect washing, the dishwasher further comprising a dishwasher rack in the form of a wireframe structure and a dishwasher rack unit peaceable thereon.

The present invention relates to a dishwasher having a carrier structure adapted to be mounted on the wire rack thereof for carrying plates of different sizes

Removable dishwasher rack units are known per se. Dishwashers of the art may be equipped with different kinds of racks and units especially designed for plates of different sizes.

A dishwasher rack carrier adaptor structure in the form of an additional unit to be placed on the dishwasher rack and store plates of different sizes and shapes may have the disadvantage of occupying unnecessary space when not in use. Another disadvantage associated with such an additional storage unit is that it may not provide alternative placement options or stable support.

A prior art publication relevant in the technical field of the present invention may be referred to as US2010314977 among others, the publication disclosing an upper rack vertical adjustment system for a dishwasher, including an upper rack first portion, and an upper rack second portion rotatably attached to the first portion to selectively create an opening in the bottom of the rack to provide clearance for items placed in the lower rack. For adjusting the height of the upper rack, a slidable member has two elongated arms extending therefrom, each having a wheel attached at an end of the arms, provided on each side of the rack. For each slidable member, a plate is mounted to a portion of the upper rack and said slidable member is pivotally mounted to the plate. A locking mechanism locks the slidable member in one of several predetermined positions.

The present invention provides a dishwasher rack unit specially designed for a dishwasher with a rack to store utensils with various shapes and dimensions in cooperation therewith. The dishwasher rack unit of the invention is a slidably adjustable assembly to provide different storage options. It is a removable unit advantageously providing an efficient structure that does not occupy extra space when not in use. It presents a storing/placement alternative for the consumer.

The fact that the dishwasher rack unit is a removable structure allows use thereof outside the dishwasher as a temporary storage medium carrying plates and other kitchenware and allows placement of the same conveniently into the dishwasher when the washing process is to be carried out.

The present invention therefore provides a rack unit particularly for storing and carrying plates of different sizes and shapes as defined by the characterizing features in Claim 1 and subsequent Claims.

Primary object of the present invention is hence to provide a removable and slidably adjustable rack unit particularly for plates of different sizes and shapes, ensuring that no unnecessary space is employed when not in use, while at the same time providing alternative placement options.

The present invention provides a dishwasher with a dishwasher rack unit that is removably placeable on the dishwasher rack. The unit is specially designed to support plates of different sizes and shapes.

First interconnected movable receiving sections are slidable relative to second interconnected fixed receiving sections and the relative position of the two is adjustable. Two movable bars in connection with movable receiving sections form the interconnected movable receiving sections and two main frame bars in connection with fixed receiving sections form the interconnected fixed receiving sections.

A connection device fixedly attached to at least one connection bar forming part of the interconnected fixed receiving sections connects the interconnected movable receiving sections thereto in a guidably supported manner.

Said connection device comprises two open-sided connection device recesses that movably receive and guide said two movable bars and resilient flaps on each side of the connection device partially enclosing the movable bars while the movable bars move back and forth along the longitudinal axes thereof.

The interconnected movable receiving sections are removable from inside the interconnected fixed receiving sections as a single unit by bending up the resilient flaps

The movable and fixed receiving sections are identical with different sizes. Two support extensions forming a receiving section have two linear portions with an inclined intermediate portion in between the same.

The connection device is laterally extendable so that the distance between two support extensions is adjustable for oval oversized plates. A support extension's length can be extended by means of a telescopic mechanism.

Accompanying drawings are given solely for the purpose of exemplifying a dishwasher rack unit having an improved carrier adaptor structure wire rack, whose advantages over prior art were outlined above and will be explained in brief hereinafter.

The drawings are not meant to delimit the scope of protection as identified in the claims nor should they be referred to alone in an effort to interpret the scope identified in said claims without recourse to the technical disclosure in the description of the present invention.

FIG. 1 demonstrates a general side view of the dishwasher rack unit loaded with plates according to the present invention, non-visible tubular extensions of the dishwasher rack unit being indicated by the axis lines.

FIG. 2 demonstrates another general side view of the dishwasher rack unit loaded with plates according to the present invention, non-visible tubular extensions of the dishwasher rack unit being indicated by the axis lines.

FIG. 3 demonstrates a general side view of the dishwasher rack unit while the movable receiving sections assembly is at a first position relative to the fixed receiving sections assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 demonstrates a general side view of the dishwasher rack while the movable receiving sections assembly is at a second position relative to the fixed receiving sections assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 demonstrates a general perspective view of the dishwasher rack unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 demonstrates a general front view of the dishwasher rack unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 demonstrates a general perspective view of the dishwasher rack with the dishwasher rack unit placed therein while loaded with plates according to the present invention, non-visible tubular extensions of the dishwasher rack unit being indicated by the axis lines.

FIG. 8 demonstrates a general perspective view of the dishwasher rack with the dishwasher rack unit placed therein while loaded with plates according to the present invention, non-visible tubular extensions of the dishwasher rack unit being indicated by the axis lines.

The following numerals are assigned to different parts demonstrated in the drawings:

-   1. Dishwasher rack -   2. Tines -   3. Dishwasher rack unit -   4. Plate -   5. Main frame bar -   6. Connection bar -   7. Movable bar -   8. Movable receiving section -   9. Fixed receiving section -   10. Support extension -   11. Fixed support extension -   12. Connection device -   13. Connection device recess -   14. Resilient flap -   15. Movable receiving sections assembly -   16. Fixed receiving sections assembly

The present invention provides a dishwasher conventionally defining a washing process chamber and a spraying system spraying water to effect washing of the various kitchenware and cooking equipment placed in the dishwasher. The dishwasher typically has a dishwasher rack (1) in the form of a wireframe structure located in the washing process chamber. The dishwasher rack (1) has a plurality of tines (2) on the bottom being disposed in rows from front to back of said wireframe structure. The dishwasher rack unit (3) of the invention can be placed on the dishwasher rack (1) so as to create additional space for carrying and storing plates (4) with various shapes and dimensions.

The present invention provides a removable dishwasher rack unit (3) for plates (4), comprising two movable bars (7) in connection with movable receiving sections (8). The movable bars (7) and the movable receiving sections (8) are connected such that the lower ends of two support extensions (10) are fixedly attached to a respective movable bar (7). Preferably, the upper ends of said support extensions (10) are connected to each other so as to form a triangular shape. The movable receiving sections (8) provided by said triangular structure act as a supporting unit for plates (4), the latter leaning on said movable receiving sections (8) while stored in a consecutive manner.

According to the present invention, the plates (4) are placeable on the dishwater rack unit (3) such that more space is obtainable for different sized utensils, particularly oversized bowls or pans. To this end, the fixed dishwasher rack (1) and the dishwasher rack unit (3) configured to be placed thereon cooperate such that a first set of interconnected movable receiving sections (8) of the dishwasher rack unit (3) slides relative to a second set of interconnected fixed receiving sections (9) of the dishwasher rack unit so as to allow adjustment of the in-between spacing, i.e. the space in between a movable receiving section (8) and a fixed receiving section (9). Therefore, an advantageous space arrangement can be made in order for conveniently accommodating plates (4) having greater dimensions such as bowls having a greater depth. The fixed receiving sections (9) have fixed support extensions (11) connected at the lower ends thereof with main frame bars (5) of the dishwasher rack unit (3). Preferably, the fixed receiving sections (9) are also provided with a triangular shape.

According to the present invention, a connection device (12) connects the interconnected movable receiving sections (8) to interconnected fixed receiving sections (9). The connection device (12) is securely attached to at least one connection bar (6) interconnecting said fixed receiving sections (9) while two open-sided connection device recesses (13) of the connection device (12) movably receive said two movable bars (7) in association with respective support extensions (10).

The open-sided connection device recesses (13) have suitable shapes to support and receive the movable bars (7) in a guided manner so that the interconnected movable receiving sections (8) can displace back and forth. The amount of displacement is restricted by two consecutive support extensions (10) leaning on the connection device (12) on each side thereof. Preferably, two connection devices (12) are provided on each longitudinal side of the connection bar(s) (6). The connection device recesses (13) are configured to allow easy removal of the interconnected movable receiving sections (8) assembly. To this end, the connection device (12) comprises resilient flaps (14) on each side thereof, said resilient flaps (14) receiving the movable bars (7) in an at least partially enclosing manner. The movable receiving sections assembly (15) is therefore individually removable from inside the fixed receiving sections assembly (16) by bending up the resilient flaps (14) and pulling out the same along the connection bar (6) axis.

According to the present invention, the movable receiving sections (8) and the fixed receiving sections (9) have symmetrical shapes while the movable receiving sections (8) are smaller in proportion to the fixed sections. This arrangement allows a more convenient space distribution adjustment in the case of consecutively placed very big but shallower plates (4) leaning on the smaller movable receiving sections (8) because it will be possible to accommodate such bigger plates in the vertical space between the upper and lower racks of the dishwasher.

Accordingly, the present invention provides that the plates (4) are consecutively arrangeable such that plates (4) of different sizes can be placed in the most appropriate placement. The movable receiving sections assembly (15) and the fixed receiving sections assembly (16) placed at different positions and angles allows accommodation of the plates (4) without obstructing each other.

The dishwasher rack unit (3) of the present invention is placed on any portion of a dishwasher rack (1). The base section thereof may be designed in preferred sizes and shapes to match the tines (2) present on the dishwasher rack (1).

The dishwasher rack unit (3) of the present invention is removable. It is not attached to the dishwasher or the dishwasher rack (1) it is placed on. It can alternatively be placed on other surfaces to act as a storing unit for plates (4) or other kitchenware, such as a drainer to be placed next to the sink. It can then be placed in the dishwasher when loaded with plates (4). The movable receiving sections assembly (15) is also individually removable, advantageously providing an additional external storage unit itself if needed.

According to the present invention, the support extensions (10) as well as the fixed support extensions (11), separately forming in pairs respectively the movable and fixed receiving sections (8, 9), are provided with a lateral profile having an intermediate portion extending between two linear portions in the manner to be inclined with respect to said linear portions, as shown in FIG. 2 and/or 3. This arrangement allows a more stable support in the case of consecutively placed plates (4) having a greater depth because the upper linear sections of the movable and fixed receiving sections (8, 9) will enter deeper into the bowls for support due to said inclined intermediate portions.

Further, in accordance with the invention, the support extensions (10) of the movable receiving sections (9) in the movable receiving sections assembly (15) may be designed such that the support extensions (10) are not connected to each other to form a triangular shape but provided as separate tines connected to the movable bars (7). According to this alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown), the connection device (12) may be designed to be laterally extendable on both sides such that the connection device recesses (13) move symmetrically away from each other while at the same time displacing the movable bars (7) and thereby support extensions (10) connected thereto. This embodiment has the advantage that the user can increase the distance between two support extensions (10) to support for example an oval non-standard oversized plate (4). The extension mechanism can be realized in a plurality of embodiments, for example two telescopic parts can cooperate to provide an extendable connection device (12). In this embodiment, the connection device recesses (13) are not open-sided. Further, it is also possible to provide telescopic mechanisms for modifying the upward longitudinal dimension of the support extensions (10).

In a nutshell, the present invention proposes a dishwasher comprising a washing process chamber to place various kitchenware and cooking equipment to be washed and a spraying system spraying water to effect washing, the dishwasher further comprising a dishwasher rack (1) in the form of a wireframe structure.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a dishwasher rack unit (3) is removably placeable on the dishwasher rack (1), the dishwasher rack unit (3) having a first set of interconnected movable receiving sections (8) slidable relative to a second set of interconnected fixed receiving sections (9) so as to adjust relative position between a movable receiving section (8) and a fixed receiving section (9).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher rack unit (3) is placeable on the dishwasher rack (1) so as to fit on a plurality of tines (2) of the dishwasher rack (1), being disposed in rows from front to back on the bottom thereof.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the removable dishwasher rack unit (3) comprises two movable bars (7) in connection with movable receiving sections (8) such that lower ends of two support extensions (10) forming a movable receiving section (8) are fixedly attached to a respective movable bar (7).

In a still further embodiment of the present invention, upper ends of the support extensions (10) are connected to each other so as to form a triangular shape.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, said removable dishwasher rack unit (3) comprises two main frame bars (5) in connection with fixed receiving sections (9) such that lower ends of two fixed support extensions (11) forming a fixed receiving section (9) are fixedly attached to a respective main frame bar (5).

In a further embodiment of the present invention, a connection device (12), securely attached to at least one connection bar (6) interconnecting the fixed receiving sections (9), connects the interconnected movable receiving sections (8) to the interconnected fixed receiving sections (9).

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the connection device (12) comprises two open-sided connection device recesses (13) movably receiving said two movable bars (7) in association with respective support extensions (10).

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the amount of displacement of the interconnected movable receiving sections (8) is restricted by two consecutive support extensions (10) leaning on the connection device (12) on each side thereof when moved back and forth.

In a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, the connection device (12) comprises resilient flaps (14) on each side thereof, the resilient flaps (14) receiving the movable bars (7) in an at least partially enclosing manner.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the interconnected movable receiving sections (8) are removable from inside the interconnected fixed receiving sections (9) by bending up the resilient flaps (14).

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the movable receiving sections (8) and the fixed receiving sections (9) have symmetrical shapes and the movable receiving sections (8) are smaller in proportion to the fixed receiving sections (9).

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the support extensions (10) are provided with a lateral profile having an intermediate portion extending between two linear portions in the manner to be inclined with respect to said linear portions.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the support extensions (10) are designed as separate tines connected to the movable bars (7).

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the connection device (12) is laterally extendable on both sides such that the connection device recesses (13) move symmetrically away from each other while at the same time displacing the movable bars (7) and support extensions (10) connected thereto.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, telescopic mechanisms are provided for modifying the upward longitudinal dimension of the support extensions (10) between two locked positions.

The present invention therefore provides a dishwasher rack unit (1) specially designed for plates (4) of different sizes and shapes. This unit is removable so that it does not occupy extra space when not in use. It presents a storing/placement alternative for the consumer. The rack unit of the present invention provides a balanced and stable storing option for plates (4) with different sizes. 

1. A dishwasher comprising a washing process chamber to place various kitchenware and cooking equipment to be washed and a spraying system spraying water to effect washing, the dishwasher further comprising a dishwasher rack in the form of a wireframe structure characterized in that; a dishwasher rack unit is removably placeable on the dishwasher rack, said dishwasher rack unit comprising a first set of interconnected movable receiving sections slidable relative to a second set of interconnected fixed receiving sections so as to adjust relative position between a movable receiving section and a fixed receiving section.
 2. A dishwasher as in claim 1, characterized in that the dishwasher rack unit is placeable on the dishwasher rack so as to fit on a plurality of tines of the dishwasher rack, being disposed in rows from front to back on the bottom thereof.
 3. A dishwasher as in claim 1, characterized in that the removable dishwasher rack unit comprises two movable bars in connection with movable receiving sections such that lower ends of two support extensions forming a movable receiving section are fixedly attached to a respective movable bar.
 4. A dishwasher as in claim 3, characterized in that upper ends of the support extensions are connected to each other so as to form a triangular shape.
 5. A dishwasher as in claim 1, characterized in that the removable dishwasher rack unit comprises two main frame bars in connection with fixed receiving sections such that lower ends of two fixed support extensions forming a fixed receiving section are fixedly attached to a respective main frame bar.
 6. A dishwasher as in claim 1, characterized in that a connection device, securely attached to at least one connection bar interconnecting the fixed receiving sections, connects the interconnected movable receiving sections to the interconnected fixed receiving sections.
 7. A dishwasher as in claims 3, characterized in that the connection device comprises two open-sided connection device recesses movably receiving said two movable bars in association with respective support extensions.
 8. A dishwasher as in claim 7, characterized in that the amount of displacement of the interconnected movable receiving sections is restricted by two consecutive support extensions leaning on the connection device on each side thereof.
 9. A dishwasher as in claim 7, characterized in that the connection device comprises resilient flaps on each side thereof, the resilient flaps receiving the movable bars in an at least partially enclosing manner.
 10. A dishwasher as in claim 9, characterized in that the interconnected movable receiving sections are removable from inside the interconnected fixed receiving sections by bending up the resilient flaps.
 11. A dishwasher as in claim 1, characterized in that the movable receiving sections and the fixed receiving sections have symmetrical shapes and the movable receiving sections are smaller in proportion to the fixed receiving sections.
 12. A dishwasher as in claim 3, characterized in that the support extensions are provided with a lateral profile having an intermediate portion extending between two linear portions in the manner to be inclined with respect to said linear portions.
 13. A dishwasher as in claim 3, characterized in that the support extensions are designed as separate tines connected to the movable bars.
 14. A dishwasher as in claims 7, characterized in that the connection device is laterally extendable on both sides such that the connection device recesses move symmetrically away from each other while at the same time displacing the movable bars and support extensions connected thereto.
 15. A dishwasher as in claim 3, characterized in that telescopic mechanisms are provided for modifying the upward longitudinal dimension of the support extensions. 